SOFNOLIME™

zIt provides systems for carbon dioxide removal and pure oxygen provision in sealed environments including submarines and protective shelters used in the event of chemical or terrorist threats and external hazards.

Molecular Products has been supplying emergency air purification products to the Royal Navy for over 15 years. The company also supplies other armed forces and navies across the world including those in Australia, Canada and the USA. Recognising that many of its products are used in critical applications, often protecting life or the environment, Molecular Products' paramount global focus is on highly reliable, best quality products.

Molecular Products supplies diving grade soda lime products developed and tested to the NATO approved STANAG 1411 specification to military operations across the world. The STANAG 1411 standard relates to the carbon dioxide absorbent material for diving, submarine and marine applications which is most commonly, soda lime.

As one of the world's largest manufacturers of soda lime, Molecular Products exclusively offers SOFNOLIME™ which provides an ideal solution for not only military purposes, but also professional, commercial and leisure diving requirements.

Soda lime itself is a mixture of calcium and sodium hydroxide which absorbs carbon dioxide from breathable air. It is used in critical life support applications where carbon dioxide needs to be removed in order to maintain a breathable atmosphere. Such applications include maintenance of the atmosphere on board military submarines, and removal of carbon dioxide within diving rebreathers.

The military approved STANAG 1411 specification details the test procedures and specifications for two grades of carbon dioxide absorbent, these are grades A and B. Grade A stipulates a smaller particle size than grade B which leads to an improved rate of reaction and results in a greater usable carbon dioxide absorption capacity.

Molecular Products' manufactures both grades and each batch of material is strictly tested in-house to the STANAG 1411 specifications before release. It is this process which guarantees the performance of the Molecular Products material in its application.

The Molecular Products' D-Grade SOFNOLIME™ is STANAG grade A equivalent, although it significantly exceeds the performance requirements for STANAG 1411. It is through its exceptional performance particularly in the demanding conditions encountered in diving rebreathers, that has seen the D-Grade SOFNOLIME™ become the standard for military diving requirements throughout the world.

Molecular Products also offers the L-Grade SOFNOLIME™ in its range, which is the STANAG Grade B equivalent. This is generally used in less demanding applications such as rebreather training or in specific diving rebreathers which are not suited to the smaller particle size material. Both grades can be supplied in various pack sizes which can be tailored to meet specific requirements.

Within either grade, SOFNOLIME™ is supplied as hard, porous irregularly shaped granules which have been processed to maximise CO2 absorption and minimise dust formation. It is also available in bespoke canisters which are mainly used for military purposes within submarines and are stored on board the vessel ready for use.

Once submerged, the submarine has an on-board atmosphere control system, which includes a carbon dioxide absorber unit. The unit requires canisters of soda lime to ensure the carbon dioxide level within the submarine is kept to a safe and comfortable level.

Molecular Products' continued commitment to the production of innovative solutions makes it the natural partner of choice for collective and personal protection life support systems.

David Baines, International Sales & Marketing Director